The Formula One season begins in Bahrain at the weekend with reigning track king Fernando Alonso aiming for a repeat performance in 2006 prior to his high-profile defection from Renault to McLaren.

But in this exclusive Gazette preview, deposed champion Michael Schumacher is tipping Ferrari to bounce back from a disappointing campaign, and Mercedes boss Norbert Haug promises an end to the glitches which scuppered Kimi Raikkonen and McLaren's bid last year.

Fernando Alonso cannot wait to begin the defence of his world championship crown, insisting Renault are the team to beat this season.

The world champions have consistently been among the front-runners in winter testing prior to this weekend's first race in Bahrain.

Alonso, who became Formula One's youngest champion at the age of 24, is convinced he has what it takes to defend his crown.

He said: "I think we have done what we needed to. The car is ready to race: it has done a lot of laps, on all types of circuits and conditions.

"Now is the time to measure ourselves against the others in the first race. We have done the maximum possible, so I am relaxed going into the season.

"I think Renault are definitely up there. Honda, Ferrari, McLaren and Renault have been the four big teams in winter testing.

"For sure, Renault are the ones to beat because we are the world champions, and I am confident we have done a good job.

"But also, because Renault are the world champions, the whole team is very motivated.

"I don't think there is more pressure, but I am very proud to have No 1 on the car.

"It is the maximum you can achieve in all motorsport, one of the moments you dream about all of your career. I am excited to arrive in Bahrain with No 1 on the car, and I will be trying to enjoy this year to the maximum."

This year will be Alonso's last for Renault before a move to McLaren in 2007.

The Spaniard wants to deliver a parting gift of another title to the team who gave him his big break in Formula One.

"It is very difficult to win a championship, and you need a lot of things around you to have the chance," he said.

"Last year, I started the season dreaming of maybe winning one race and getting regular podiums, but we won the title.

"In 2006, I know we have a competitive car, so my only goal is to repeat the title."

But Michael Schumacher will be one of the biggest obstacles to Alonso retaining his crown, and the German has tipped Ferrari to bounce back this year and challenge once more for the world championship.

Formula One's most successful driver looked a spent force last season as Ferrari's grip on both titles slipped after five years of unbroken success.

But, after an unusually active winter testing schedule for the seven-times world champion, Schumacher is optimistic ahead of next week's first race in Bahrain.

He said: "I think we'll see a very close fight this year between three or four teams.

"I'm pretty optimistic we can be one of them along with Renault and Honda, I think. Whether we will win it, we'll see, but we'll be in it I think."

Page 2: Haug has high hopes>

Haug has high hopes>

Mercedes chief Norbert Haug is confident McLaren will not suffer a repeat of the reliability problems which ruined their 2005 World Championship bid.

Kimi Raikkonen's chances of beating Renault's Fernando Alonso to the title were hamstrung by repeated engine troubles and early testing of the 2006 McLaren offered little hope of improvement.

Mercedes' new engine suffered serious teething problems but Haug is convinced those issues have been solved after significant improvements in the last few weeks.

He said: "The start with the new car at Barcelona on January 23 was not trouble-free and in the beginning we were not where we wanted to be.

"However, in the following five-and-a-half weeks or about 40 days until the final test at Valencia on March 1, our team showed what it is capable of, be it chassis or engine wise.

"Several times our new engine stood the strain of two race weekends and up to 50pc more on the circuits of Barcelona and Valencia as well as on the dynos at Brixworth and Stuttgart."

**********>

Former world champions Williams believe they are ready to return to the front of the Formula One grid after completing their winter testing.

After 42 days and 10,000 miles of testing, technical director Sam Michael is optimistic. He said: "Everything has gone well with the mechanical and aerodynamic developments of the car and we are ready to race."

**********>

Jarno Trulli has urged Toyota not to lose heart as they prepare for the start of the new Formula One season.

Toyota were the first team to run their 2006 car but have been consistently eclipsed by the likes of Renault, Honda and McLaren.

Trulli said: "We feel that we are ready for the first race, but it is difficult to say how competitive we are. I can only say that the team has done a good job and the organisation was perfect. We aim to improve on last year's performance and to take a further step forward - we have to believe in this and live it."

**********>

Jenson Button will end his Formula One duck and win his first Grand Prix this year, claims David Coulthard.

Button has driven in 102 Grands Prix without winning but Coulthard told the BBC he expected that run to end this season.

He said: "Jenson's good enough to win. He's fired up. He looks fit. The Honda seems quick, so I wouldn't be surprised if he's challenging for wins."

BMW have warned against unrealistic expectations as they prepare for their Formula One debut in Bahrain. BMW bought out the under-performing Sauber team last year and pin their hopes on drivers Nick Heidfeld and 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve.